Trump’s new rules / demands for U.S. universities to qualify or retain access or federal funding!

Trump’s new rules / demands for U.S. universities to qualify or retain access or federal funding!

Reported by Marian opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

Key Rules & Conditions

1. Transparency of Foreign Funding

• Via an executive order titled “Transparency Regarding Foreign Influence at American Universities”, Trump mandates that universities must fully disclose foreign funds, including sources and purposes. [1]
• Failure to comply with foreign funding disclosure rules can lead to revocation or withholding of federal grant funds. [1]

1. “Compact for Academic Excellence” / Preferential Funding Deal

• Some universities have been offered a 10‑point “compact” which ties federal funds to compliance with certain policy demands (admissions rules, hiring, governance). [2]
• Conditions in this compact reportedly include:
  • Banning use of race or sex in admissions and hiring. [3]
  • Imposing a 5-year tuition freeze. [3]
  • Capping international undergraduate enrollment at 15%. [3]
  • Requiring applicants to take standardized tests (e.g., SAT or equivalent). [3]
  • Requiring publication of grade distributions and stricter grading practices. [2]

1. Funding Freezes for Non‑Compliance

• The administration has already frozen large federal grants to institutions like Columbia, Penn, Princeton, Harvard, Cornell, and others as leverage. [4]
• The freezes or reviews are often tied to investigations over alleged noncompliance (e.g. antisemitism, diversity programs, etc.) under Title VI or other civil rights mandates. [4]

1. Review of Grants to Align with “National Priorities”
   -Trump’s administration has introduced an executive order to tighten oversight of federal grant making, asking agencies to ensure awarded grants align with priority policies. [5]
   Universities seeking funding must certify compliance with the foreign disclosure and alignment rules, making them material conditions for eligibility. [1]

Considerations & Critiques

• Academic freedom risk: Critics argue these rules allow the federal government to micromanage admissions, hiring, speech, and ideological balance on campus. [2]
• Legal challenges: Some funding freezes are being challenged in courts on procedural and constitutional grounds. [4]
• Practical pressure: Many universities depend heavily on federal grants and contracts; losing that support can seriously impair research and operations. [6]

Citations:

1. The White House: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/transparency-regarding-foreign-influence-at-american-universities/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Ars Technica: arstechnica.com/science/2025/10/trump-offers-universities-a-choice-comply-for-preferential-funding/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. EdexLive: www.edexlive.com/study-abroad/top-us-colleges-asked-to-agree-to-tuition-admissions-and-hiring-rules-for-federal-grants?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. Steptoe: www.steptoe.com/en/news-publications/universities-face-full-funding-freezes-amid-trump-administration-demands.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. Tufts Research Office: viceprovost.tufts.edu/updates-federal-impacts-research?utm_source=chatgpt.com
6. The Washington Post: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/28/college-federal-funding-trump/8c2c7a0e-0b8a-11f0-8e5e-3a8d70fc4250_story.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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